Yoga is a detoxifying practice in many realms, but some poses detoxify a bit more than others due to the compression of the organs or the position of the head and heart. When you do yoga, your body cleanses itself to rid waste product or built-up toxins. So if you’re sluggish or down this summer, try these detoxifying poses to feel your best.
Downward Facing Dog
Downdog is detoxing in the fact that the head is lower than the heart, which reverses the pull of gravity and aids in circulation of the blood and lymph. Also, there is a slight abdominal compression when the navel is drawn in toward the spine.
To get into the pose, start onto all fours. Place your hands a couple inches in front of the shoulders and curl your back toes underneath. Slowly, lift the hips upward as you simultaneously lower the heels to the ground. Roll the shoulders away from the ears and keep the breath fluid. Hold for 30- 60 seconds.
Supine Spinal Twists
Spinal twists stimulate digestion and facilitate the elimination of impurities and waste products. Spinal twists are similar to “ringing a towel dry,” our abdominal region is “squeezed” to activate the kidney and liver, which promotes blood circulation to remove metabolic waste and toxins.
To get into the pose, lie on your back with your arms at shoulder height. Slowly, place feet on the floor and drop your knees to the right and your face to the left. Hold for 30–60 seconds and repeat on the alternate side.
Seated Forward Bend
Forward bends compress the abdominal organs to aid in the removal of waste product and stimulates digestion.
To get into the pose, sit on the floor with legs extended. Inhale arms overhead, and exhale hinge from your hip and reach your arms onto the legs. Hold for 30–60 seconds.
Bow Pose
Bow pose stimulates the abdominal organs with compression of the core into the ground. It allows the breath to flow freely through the lungs and aids in poor digestion.
To get into the pose, lie on your stomach and bend your knees. Reach your arms to hold onto the feet or ankles. Inhale life through the chest and keep the thighs off the ground. Think of lifting from the knees and pressing the feet into the hands. Hold for 30 – 60 seconds.
Legs up the Wall Pose
This pose promotes circulation from the feet to the legs. As gravity pulls the blood down to the abdominal region, it stimulates the digestive system. This is a restorative pose, which aides in the calming of the nervous system.
To get into the pose, sit next to wall, with your right hip near the wall. As you start to lie back, slowly bring your right leg, then the left up the wall. Place arms at shoulder height and adjust as needed to where the legs are straight and comfortable. Hold for three to five minutes.